A Mantra for Peace

If there is one thing I have learned in my short life on this Earth, it is that we are a society that has the need to control...and much of our lives are out of our control. I say this with empathy and understanding, for I am one of those people.

I classify myself as a "recovering control addict" and I am sure what I'm about to say will resonate with most. From other people's behaviors to perfect outcomes in daily scenarios, we place this burden on ourselves by striving to be in control all the time. It is exhausting! Do you want to know why? Because when aiming for complete control in situations where you have very little, your energy level is depleted, leaving you mentally and emotionally drained.

The current global happenings are one such instance that is out of our control. A time like this can make us feel anxious, confused, and frustrated. The simple"unknown" factor of it has us all on edge. Because we have no control over what happens next, what others chose to do / say, or the end result, we feel powerless.

But we do have power. We ALWAYS have the power of choice. We have the ability to choose our behaviors, what we think, and how we react. It is completely up to us in what way we view our circumstances and what we choose to do.

With the recent outbreak of COVID-19 and the recommendations to stay home, I have had a bit more time on my hands. Time to go down the rabbit hole of information we are bombarded with, time to inherit other peoples opinions and emotions, and time for a little extra soul searching (thank goodness).

I know with so many of us feeling powerless and like there is so much out of our (collective) control, I wanted to share my recent mantra and how I choose to practice it daily. And when I say practice, I mean it. It is a "home base" for my thoughts and emotions, and if I am not careful and mindful of consistently practicing it, all of the aforementioned (anxiety, confusion, frustration) are allowed to rule my mind and spirit.

The Mantra - "Have Patience, Be Present, Stay Positive"

Have Patience

In a world where everything is at our fingertips and almost immediate, it can feel overwhelming to not have solutions or foreseeable endings to unfortunate circumstances. As our parents taught us, patience is a virtue, and virtues are valuable. They help us create and shape the life we want. Patience allows us time to grow, and reminds us not to give up on our dreams. It allows us to step back and view situations from all angles. It can be the inner calm we so deeply desire. Patience, as challenging as it can be in modern day, gives us time to understand. Practicing patience with yourself, with others, and with seemingly endless occurrences that are out of our control, will only help you to become more mindful in this fast paced, ever changing world.

Be Present

I'm sure you've heard this topic being discussed a lot lately. Our human minds are hard wired for mentally drudging through the past and worrying about the future. But what IF you decided to be fully present? In every moment, experiencing whatever is happening right then and there. We so often overlook beauty in day to day life because we are emotionally clinging to the past, or pre-worrying about events to come. Even worse, we tend to be anxious and fearful of things in the future we don't even have certainty on. Practicing presence has been a key component for me in releasing control, therefore allowing more space for love, gratitude, and joy.

Stay Positive

I know, I know...easier said than done, right? But that's why it is called a practice. Positivity is a powerful muscle, and if you don't exercise it, you wont be able to "flex it" when you need it most. Research has proven the benefits of positive thinking, linking it to decreased risk of depression, increased immunity, and even longevity. Thinking positively can come in many forms such as visualization, the way you communicate with yourself, and the way you perceive your circumstances. Even a small shift in perception can change an experience to an opportunity or lesson instead of a painful or tragic one.

Practicing patience, presence, and positivity is not an easy task. However, during these uncertain times and even beyond,a continued practice of the "3 P's" will only add value to your life. Commit to yourself, your health, and your happiness by adding a daily meditation, gratitude journal entry, prayer, or breath work. Do things that bring you joy daily and always "look at the bright side" in every situation. Remember to live in the moment. Avoid rushing into the future or worrying about things that are not in your control. You have the power to choose all of that. And that power of choice will bring you peace.